The 20 modern worries for parents

Rick Maughan

Having perfect Instagram pictures and well-travelled children are among the top 20 modern-day pressures facing parents, new research reveals.

A study of 2,000 mum and dads found that limiting gadget time, having fulfilling days out, and packing in extra-curricular activities are constantly on their minds.

The research found parents feel pressure to give their kids a variety of exciting experiences, with cultural trips and visits to art galleries and museums topping the poll.

The pressure to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ is increasing - with the average mum and dad worrying at least 20 times per month, or 260 times per year, over whether they’re doing a good job.

Psychologist Emma Kenny, who worked with Thomson Cruises on the research, said: “It’s interesting to see the variety of pressures that modern day parents feel.

“It is not just providing for their kids, but also how they are perceived by other parents and the impact that has on them.

“With a generation of adults that have fully embraced the digital age, it’s clear the priority is shifting to ensure their children have a healthier balance between gadgets and new experiences that will contribute to their development.”

Sixty five percent of parents describe themselves as competitive, with a fifth revealing they regularly compare their family achievements with other parents. Over half (51 per cent) admitted that chatter at the school gates can bring out their competitive side, proving playground politics aren’t just for kids.

Social media rivalry is also common, with mums and dads uploading boastful posts to social media an astounding 416 times a year.

Following the trend for varied experiences, the results also suggested that parents are now far less likely to boast about their child having gadgets, expensive items or material goods, but are keener to show how cultural or open-minded their child is.

Over three quarters (78 per cent) feel travel and experiencing other cultures is important in a child’s development, with a third feeling pressure to have a varied family holiday seeing different and exotic destinations each year.

Parents overwhelmingly value the process of making memories (85 per cent) over providing children with material possessions.

The best family photos are most likely to be holiday snaps - with people’s favourite ever family photos more likely to be one from a trip away (59 per cent) than one at home.

Thomson Cruises managing director Helen Caron, said: “The results really emphasise the pressures that we know can sometimes be felt by parents, and it’s interesting to see how these are evolving, with gadgets taking a back-seat and family experiences taking priority.

“Our range of ships and itineraries are perfect for the modern day family, ensuring they get the most out of their holiday, allowing them to visit multiple exotic destinations and enjoy different cultural experiences all in one trip.”

Thomson Cruises recently launched the #NotForMe campaign that challenged 12 influential photographers, bloggers and vloggers to look at the common misconceptions about cruise holidays, jokingly using the hashtag #NotForMe - a typical response from those who wouldn’t consider a cruise holiday.

THE 20 MODERN PARENTING PRESSURES

1. Entertaining the kids during the holidays instead of staying at home/watching TV/Playing computer games